It’s fall, which means that Metro is seeking citizen applicants to serve on the Transportation Policy Advisory Committee. There are four openings.

According to Metro:

TPAC is an advisory committee that reviews regional plans and federally funded transportation projects across the three-county Portland area. It advises local and regional leaders on transportation spending priorities as well as policies related to transportation, such as efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and create communities with easy access to public transit. It also recommends needs and opportunities for involving the public in transportation matters.An essential responsibility of TPAC is to advise the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, JPACT, a panel of elected officials and transportation agency executives that controls federal transportation spending in the Portland area. TPAC also advises the Metro Council, which reviews and must approve all major JPACT actions.

Posted by AROW in Infrastructure, News on September 18th, 2012 – Comments Off on Reclaiming The Right of Way: Parklet Best Practices Report Released

Robin writes:

Researches from UCLA have put together a manual for how to build parklets based on best practices from the US and Canada.

From the article:

Researchers have also created a new report, “Reclaiming The Right of Way,” which compiles best practices from cities in the U.S and Canada that have implemented parklet projects in their communities. These projects, which enhance neighborhoods through low-cost, small-scale inventions, were pioneered in San Francisco but have also appeared in New York, Philadelphia, and Vancouver, B.C., among other cities.

Posted by Nick in News on September 17th, 2012 – Comments Off on Big Roads, Big Changes

Three separate projects in mid-outer Portland are shaping up to lead the change in how we view our big roads. These are all in the early stage of development, and offer great opportunities to rally for bold change before complacency and convenience takes hold of the planning processes.

2013 could be the year we take back our streets one lane at a time, but it’s not going to be easy. Road diets are commonly faced with opposition from local residents during the planning stage, only to be turned to satisfaction and appreciation of the treatments after they are installed. Advocates and supporters of livable streets will need to show up and be heard if these are going to overcome the scepticism.

PBOT will present some alternatives for making SE Division between 60th and 82nd safer for pedestrians, bikes, and autos. One option is what is called a “road diet”. This option would involve repainting the street with three lanes (one each direction and a left turn lane), bike lanes on each side and possibly bus turn outs. With this option pedestrian islands would be possible at crosswalks (68th and at least one new crosswalk at 64th).

NE/SE 82nd Ave

Why – Central Northeast Neighbors is hosting a walking tour of existing conditions and future considerations for the NE 82ndAvenue of Roses. The Bureau of Planning and SustainabilityNE District Planner will work with us along with other experts in the field to present current information. We will discuss opportunities and constraints around land use, transportation, zoning and livability of key sites along NE 82nd.

82nd Avenue Transportation Workshop
Date – September 24 at 7:00 PM
Where – Montavilla Methodist Church – 232 SE 80th.
Why – To learn about the process needed to transfer jurisdiction of 82nd Avenue from ODOT to the City of Portland. Sponsored by the Montavilla Neighborhood Association and the 82nd Avenue Business Association. Panel will include Tom Miller, Portland’s Director of Transportation, State Senator Jackie Dingfelder, and Shelli Romero of ODOT.

He explained, “Cars are getting a little bit more efficient, we’re tending to drive a little bit less. We are seeing gains in mass transit and alternative transportation, like bicycles. But really, behind all of these changes appears to be the rising and volatile price of gasoline.”

The report says that over the last 10 years, the miles driven per capita on state roads has fallen 13 percent; and vehicle fuel efficiency has increased a few percentage points.

As they mention, this calls into question not only the financing for major highway projects, but indeed the need for them.

Posted by AROW in News on August 15th, 2012 – Comments Off on Bringing 82nd Avenue Under Local Authority

Josh writes:

One of the often mentioned obstacles to improving 82nd Avenue is that it’s under ODOT jurisdiction. Your attendance at this meeting will help give our public officials the clear message that we want 82nd to be under the City of Portland’s jurisdiction. Getting these public officials talking with each other will start the process moving.

Meeting Announcement: 82nd Avenue Transportation Workshop

Purpose: To learn about the process needed to transfer jurisdiction of 82nd Avenue from ODOT to the City of Portland.

Format: Panel discussion with public officials and state legislators about how to move ahead on this issue. Also, information on ODOT’s currently planned safety projects for 82nd will be available.

Who: Sponsored by the Montavilla Neighborhood Association and the 82nd Avenue Business Association. Panel will include Tom Miller, Portland’s Director of Transportation, State Senator Jackie Dingfelder, and Shelli Romero of ODOT.

When: September 24 at 7:00 PM

Where: Montavilla Methodist Church – 232 SE 80th.

We ask that contacts and participants to the workshop think in advance about and send us a list of three concerns or problems you have with 82nd Avenue; and three questions you have about the transfer issue. You’re encouraged to leave those questions and concerns in the comments below.

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